Detonation Control System With Programmable Time-To-Fire Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Detonation control devices for explosives are typically single-use and costly due to their complex design, limiting the ability to modify time-to-fire settings effectively.
Innovation Solution
A detonation control system with a controller circuit and manual switch that allows for the storage and modification of multiple time-to-fire settings using a sequence of switch movements, integrating functionality for other system operations to minimize additional costs and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional detonation control devices are designed as single-use devices, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manual switch is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the arming/activation control switch and the time-to-fire setting switch. By integrating these functions into a single component, the device achieves multi-functionality that reduces overall complexity while maintaining reliability through proven single-switch design patterns
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple time-to-fire settings are added to detonation control devices, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The same manual switch used for arming and activation is also used for selecting time-to-fire settings. The controller circuit monitors switch activity and interprets specific sequences as setting commands, allowing multiple functions to be achieved without adding dedicated setting mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational components (manual switch and controller circuit) to perform the additional function of time-to-fire setting. No separate setting mechanism is needed - the existing control infrastructure serves itself to configure timing parameters
3Ease of operation
If manual switch sequences are used for setting time-to-fire values, then ease of operation is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller circuit continuously monitors manual switch states and provides feedback through indicator lights that display the current time-to-fire setting. This feedback mechanism makes the internal state detection transparent to the user, eliminating the complexity of interpreting switch sequences while maintaining ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
According to certain embodiments, a detonation control system includes a controller circuit coupled to a manual switch and a detonation device. The detonation device is configured to activate an explosive. The controller circuit includes a memory operable to store one of a multiple time-to-fire settings representing a time delay from arming the detonation device to activation of the detonation device. The controller circuit is operable to store a first time-to-fire setting in the memory, store another of the multiple time-to-fire settings in the memory upon actuation of the manual switch, and repeat the step of storing another of the multiple time-to-fire settings in the memory for each actuation of the manual switch.